Clinton Defends Reno While Blaming Koresh

WASHINGTON -- President Clinton on Tuesday blamed religious cult leader David Koresh for the fiery deaths of Koresh and his followers at their Waco, Texas, compound.

But Clinton personally took responsibility for forcing an end to the 51-day Waco siege, and he ordered a federal investigation of the entire episode.

The president`s comments were designed to defend Attorney General Janet Reno and federal agents from accusations that they moved rashly against the cultists on Monday, sparking a needless tragedy.

Clinton called Koresh dangerous, irrational and probably insane. The president said he was shocked to hear that some people were suggesting that Reno resign ``because some religious fanatics murdered themselves.``

``They made the decision to immolate themselves, and I feel terrible about the loss of life, especially the children,`` Clinton said.

Koresh and 85 of his followers died in the blaze, apparently set from within, that erupted after agents moved in on the compound. Seventeen of the dead were children 10 years old or younger.

While defending the federal action, Clinton ordered an investigation headed by Reno and Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen, who oversees the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Reno has said that she was solely responsible for the order to send federal agents hurling tear gas into the compound on Monday. She said she authorized a plan recommended by the FBI after advising Clinton.

The president on Tuesday still maintained some detachment from the operational decisions that forced a resolution of the siege. But he said he was ultimately responsible for those decisions.

He said the only reason he did not speak out in support of Reno on Monday was that he was waiting for the facts. But it is not possible ``for the president to distance himself from things when the federal government is in control,`` Clinton said.

Members of Congress called for hearings into the actions of federal agents and their leaders at the beginning and end of the siege.

Rep. Don Edwards, D-Calif., scheduled a hearing for Friday before his civil and constitutional rights subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee. Edwards said he wanted to know more about why federal authorities abandoned the strategy of waiting out the Koresh group.

The outcome ``was the worst possible result,`` said Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., senior Republican on the subcommittee, who joined Edwards in announcing the hearings. ``There are questions of competence, questions of effectiveness: Who was in charge? Who was making the decisions? How well were the options presented? Was this inevitable?``

Sen. Dennis DeConcini, D-Ariz., whose subcommittee reviews the budget of ATF, said he would hold hearings as well.

Some religious leaders also were asking questions.

``We believe that patience should have been the first order of the day, given that lives had already been lost on both sides and that many more lives, including those of children, hung in the balance,`` said the Rev. Joan Campbell, general secretary of the National Council of Churches.

Clinton said the FBI made ``every reasonable effort to bring this perilous situation to an end.

``We did everything we could to avoid the loss of life,`` Clinton said.

White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers said Clinton called Reno on Monday night to commend her for standing up to the criticism. ``You should sleep well. You did a good job today,`` Myers said Clinton told Reno.

-- Information from The Associated Press was used to supplement this report.